As Ghana prepares for the upcoming 2024 elections, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Sawla -Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region has commenced a series of engagements aimed at promoting peace and tolerance among political party youth activists.
The initiative is being funded by the European Union under the Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) program, seeks to address the rising threats of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa, particularly in light of the troubling security landscape in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali.
According to the NCCE District Director for Sawla-Tuna-Kalba , Mr. Issahaku Losina,the youth play a crucial role in shaping the political environment.
He said NCCE aims to educate these young activists about the importance of peaceful coexistence and non-violence before , during and after the elections.
“Many youth are vulnerable to manipulation by political leaders who exploit their circumstances for electoral gain, often leading to electoral violence, through focused group discussions across various districts, participants will learn about the national policies on violent extremism and the dangers associated with extremist ideologies”, he stated.
The engagement covered critical topics, including the role of youth in promoting peace, inter-faith tolerance, and strategies for countering misinformation.
The program is set to take place throughout November 2024, with media coverage planned to ensure visibility for the initiative and acknowledgment of EU support.
Each engagement will involve participants from political party youth wings, fostering a culture of tolerance and understanding as Ghana moves towards a potentially contentious election period, said Mr Issahaku Losina.
Source: yagbonradioonline/Do-ara Frank
